Scottish Executive

Fire Service

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports an inquiry into proposals to close 42 fire auxiliary units in the Highland Council area.

Hugh Henry: The programme of fire station upgrading is a matter for the Highland and Islands Fire Board. I understand that at this stage no decision has been made about closure of basic volunteer stations. If, following consideration by the board, such a decision is reached then, as part of the process, there would have to be a public consultation.

Tourism

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to VisitScotland that it should display on the visitscotland.com website online booking system full contact details of those accommodation providers that subscribe to the website, ensuring equal prominence with the contact details of the VisitScotland call centre.

Mike Watson: This is an operational matter for visitscotland.com.

Tourism

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that potential tourists are given the full details of all tourism providers, including telephone numbers and e-mail addresses, on the VisitScotland website.

Mike Watson: While this is an operational matter for visitscotland.com, I understand that the full contact details of tourism businesses that have subscribed to visitscotland.com are included on its website.